Your indoor plants are going to let you know if something isn't right. The leaves will fall off, turn brown or some other symptom will manifest itself. The are various causes, some that can be rectified and others that cannot. When you are trying to figure out what is wrong, start with the simplest solution as a starting point.

The most common cause of a sick houseplant is watering, either too much or not enough. If the plant's leaves are starting too look wilted or are drying up, check the soil and if it is dry add a good amount of water to wet the dirt and leave it moist once the water has run through. If you have over watered a plant, make sure the drainage hole is not clogged and if you have a dish that catches excess water, empty it out to make room for more water to drain out of the pot.

If the edges of the leaves are turning brown and are starting to look dried out it is from too much heat. In this situation it is best to remove the plant from direct sunlight, adjust the temperature inside the home if possible. These symptoms can also show up if there is not enough humidity in the house. As a quick fix you can put a small dish of water near the plant and as it evaporates the plant will soak it up.

When a plant looses its leaves it could be because the roots were damages from over watering, the plant is not getting enough water to support the amount of foliage, or it is too hot. Assess the plant's environment to begin nursing it back to health and giving it what it needs to get better. If you need more information you ask the experts at your local gardening center.

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It doesn't matter if the seeds you are starting are going to be making their way outdoors once germinated or if they are going to be additions to your indoor garden - starting seeds inside is the best way to ensure success. The tiny seeds and seedlings do not do well with harsh weather changes and a late frost or excessive rain can prevent them from growing. There is also the problem of birds getting into the seeds as a food source.

There are many commercial helpers you can buy to make germinating seeds an easy project. Peat pellets that come with a miniature hot house require nothing more than adding water to the seed and peat and covering with the supplied lid. But some water, high-quality soil, sunlight and time are all that you need.

Like plants, seeds like to be kept moist so a good drainage system in the pot is necessary so they do not get too much water. There is no solution to them getting too dry though, just don't forget to water them. Don't count on all of the seeds sprouting even if you have purchased seeds from a reputable source some will be duds. For this reason, make sure you plant more of each seed than the desired number of plants you are looking for.

As the seedlings begin to sprout, continue to keep them moist and turn them regularly to create even sun exposure. When the leaves start to come out you can begin the process of transplanting. Whether you are going to be growing the plants indoors or outdoors it is the same procedure. Gently take the new seedling with the roots and plant it in a new pot, if you are taking it outside you can plant it directly into the ground.

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There is a solution for you if you love the look of plants indoors but don't have the time or a green thumb to take care of them. A terrarium is a self-contained plant habitat. Once you have set-up the terrarium and closed the lid (on the jar or other container you have chosen) the plants inside create their own eco-system - all you have to do is enjoy it.

The choices for terrarium containers are only limited by your imagination. Traditionally a smaller aquarium is used with a lid but a glass jar or other container will work nicely too. Plastic will work as well, just make sure that it is a clear plastic or you won't be able to admire your handiwork once it is completed. Whatever size or material you choose for your terrarium the most important factor is that it does not leak. You need the water and moisture to stay inside for it to work and you don't want a mess inside your house.

The plants that you choose should all thrive in similar conditions and grow well in a humid environment. Popular plants to put into a terrarium are carnivorous (Venus Fly Trap, sundew, or pitch plant) or rain forest plants (chamaedorea palms, small ferns or fittonia).

Terrariums are a low-maintenance indoor garden. They need indirect sunlight (not too bright) and no water is needed after the initial water is added. The heat from inside the terrarium evaporates the water and then it condenses on the lid falling back down to the plants. This process will continue keeping your plants alive. If there is too much water present, you may need to vent the terrarium (with a vented lid or opening the top a small amount) just be sure to keep an eye on the soil's moisture level (not too wet or dry).

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You may have heard that it is hard to get shrubs or trees to blossom indoors, that's because it is the right conditions are essential. But if you have the patience and the correct amount of light (the brighter the better) to provide you can be successful. In addition to having the right conditions, you will also need to choose a flowering plant that has a history of blooming in indoor gardens.

If you purchase you flowering tree at a green house, be aware that the plant will be acclimatized to the optimal conditions found there. You may have better luck purchasing at a nursery or bringing an outdoor plant indoors - they will be hardier and used to changes in weather. Look into your garden center's return policy too, many will guarantee the life of your new plant for a certain period of time. They will also give you important information on the care and maintenance your flowering plant will need.

Humidity is important too, you can purchase a humidifier to help or you can simply place a tray of water close to the plants and as it evaporates it will create more moisture in the air.

Some of the best plants to buy that have been proven to easily flower indoors are:

* Camellias
* Azaleas
* Crimson Bottle Brush
* Gardenias
* Zebra Plant

Keeping the soil moist, fertilizing approximately twice per year and plenty of direct, bright light - if you follow these tips you are sure to see blossoms on your trees or shrubs. Be careful with open windows, if you do not have screens bees and other pollinating insects are sure to find their way inside your home. They aren't the best houseguests but if they show themselves back out they are great for the flowers.

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Many families have grown up with an aloe vera plant in the kitchen. This succulent plant is great for indoor gardening as it is hardy and easy to care for. Moreover, they are great for skin care and minor cuts and burns that can happen in the kitchen while cooking. To use as a first aid item, cut a portion of one of the leaves and squeeze the inner gel onto the hurt area. With repeated use, the aloe vera will aid in healing and sooth the pain.

In addition to the aloe vera plant there are other helpful plants that are good to have around the house. An herb garden is a convenient way to add flavor and natural ingredients to many dishes. From fresh dill in a homemade tzatziki sauce to chives mixed in with cream cheese for a delicious bagel.

Many herbs can be dried and used for loose leaf teas not only a relaxing beverage, some herbs are known for their medicinal qualities too. Some herbs that can be used as tea leaves or as part of a mixture are peppermint and ginger.

There are many edible plants that you can grow indoors to aid in digestion. They can be broken of the plant as needed or some may need some preparation first.

* Anise is a popular and widely used for aiding in digestion and easing colic in infants.
* Coriander in addition to helping with digestion it is also a tasty addition to salsa.
* Fennel oil is used to ease upset stomachs too. It is also used for increasing the amount of breast milk produced in mothers.

This is just a brief look at some of the other uses for houseplants. It is recommended to research your plants before ingesting any to ensure they are safe.

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Plants need different elements from the soil to grow. If they are not present in the right amount the plants will not be as healthy or grow as they should. This is the reason plants need fertilizer, to add the missing elements (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium). You can give your plants too much fertilizer and that will have the opposite affect you are going for.

The same species of plant that is grown indoors or outdoors will have different fertilizing needs. Plants that are grown indoors have a will not need as much fertilizer as the ones grown outside. The rate of growth is slower indoors and you can harm your plant by over-fertilizing it.

How do you know how much fertilizer to give to your plants and when to feed it to them? If you have purchased a plant meant for the indoors chances are the information tag it comes with will give fertilizing instructions. But a better method to follow is observing your plant for any signs that would indicate it is lacking nutrients.

Your plant might need fertilizer if it is not growing as fast as it should. If you notice the growth of the plant is stunted and it is spring or summer you can safely add fertilizer in small amounts over a period of one to two weeks. Many indoor gardeners will add fertilizer as part of routine maintenance each spring and that is fine too. Just be careful not too over-fertilize. Some signs that you have added to much fertilizer are the tip of the leaves are turning brown or the leaves are drooping downwards.

All fertilizers are not made the same; they are available in different ratios of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Purchase a fertilizer meant for indoor plants or one that is made for a specific type of plant.

Technorati Tags: gardening, House, Indoor, plant, Plants

Fresh herbs can make a world of difference in your meals. Instead of buying them at the grocery store and getting too much at once or a bunch that isn't as fresh as it could be, grow your own. Grow a variety or just your favorite, in a window box or on the kitchen counter. It is an easy introduction to indoor gardening.

To start your own herb garden you have two options, you can go to your local nursery and purchase some seedlings or grow your own from seed. Either way is fine, but if you are a novice the seedlings are the way to go.

Once you have your seedlings at home, you can replant them or for the first season you can leave them in the small plastic pot that they come in. If you do decide to replant them, do not pack in the soil too tightly and place a small amount of gravel or woodchips at the bottom of the pot for good drainage. If you want to grow your herbs from seeds, follow the instructions on the package carefully and use a container large enough to accommodate future root growth. Herbs also like air circulation, placing near an open window can provide both the sunshine and air movement that they need to thrive.

If your herbs are growing too large for their pots, you can separate a portion of them (including the roots) and transplant them outside in the spring or summer time. You will double the amount of herbs you can grow. On the flip side, if you already have an outdoor herb garden it is a simple matter to take a portion of each plant indoors to have fresh herbs all winter long too.

Read the recommendations and information that comes with your herb plants, not all are suitable for indoor gardening.

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There are part-time indoor gardeners; these are the ones that live in an area with cold winters - too cold for their outdoor plants to survive in. By transplanting or bringing the plants indoors, they can survive the colder months and add greenery inside the home. There are some considerations and preparations that should be made before you decide to become a part-time indoor gardener.

The most important point to think about before bringing a plant indoors is whether or not it will survive being an inside plant. If the plant has high or very high light requirements and your house does not get a lot of light in the winter time - it may not be a good solution. As a back-up you can invest in an artificial light source to supplement the natural light the plant will get.

How will you get the plant indoors? If the plant is already in a pot that will fit inside it is easy enough to move it indoors. But if the plant is in the ground you need to find a pot large enough to contain the root system and one that will not be too difficult to move. Keeping in mind that when a large plant is transplanted (re-potted or put in a pot for the first time) it may go into shock. Although with careful attention, you can nurse your plant through this.

Most likely you have been taking care of your plants outdoors and they do not have any pests or bugs on them. But it smart to double-check. By bringing an infested plant indoors you are putting all of your other indoor plants at risk of becoming infected too. Either forego bringing the plant inside or treat the pest problem before the cold weather arrives. You may enjoy having your plant inside all winter that you decide to keep it there come springtime.

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If you love an outdoor plant but it is too big to bring indoors you have the option of taking a cutting from that plant. Once you have taken a cutting, you can start a new plant that is smaller and more appropriate for an indoor garden. Depending on the type of plant you are taking a cutting from there is a few methods you might want to try.

Taking a cutting from a plant is also known as propagation. If you have a hardwood plant that you want to propagate the process is slow but easy to do as the cuttings are quite hardy. Take the cutting (about 5 inches worth) when the tree is dormant (in the middle of winter) and place the cutting cut-side up in a pail of sand. Fill the pail with water and wait until spring. Then submersed side will have little nodules that will turn into roots once planted.

When you are taking a cutting from a soft-wood plant, it will require more care and attention. Taking cuttings from soft-wood yields quicker results and you do the actually cutting when the plant is in the active growing phase. You are cutting off the new growth back to a nodal (from the point it stopped growing the year previous). This method benefits from the use of a root producing medium found at nursery stores. It is important to place the cutting (cut-side down) into the root medium immediately. If the cutting dries out it will lessen the changes of a successful cutting.

Next, pick a pot or container suitable to the type of plant you are growing and plant it once the roots have developed. At this point, you can follow the regular care instructions for the type of plant you have just propagated.

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Houseplants and herb gardens are well-known as common plants that are grown indoors. But they are not the only plants that can be grown indoors. By using the right containers and having the ability to mimic the ideal growing conditions you can also have an indoor vegetable garden. The benefits of having one go beyond the beautification of your home or the relaxation you get from gardening, but you can also pick your own vegetables right in your kitchen.

Carrots, tomatoes, and radishes are three of the easiest vegetable to grow indoors. Each grows differently and will need separate containers but with some research this is not a problem. A south-facing window is the best source of natural sunlight for your vegetables to grow in. If you do not have the right exposure, you can invest in an artificial bulb to provide supplemental light.

As with any container you choose to grow plants in, making sure there is enough drainage is key. If your plants sit in too much water they are not going to survive. If the pots you choose do not have holes in the bottom be sure to put a layer of gravel or wood chips to allow the water to run out of the soil. The flip side of this is not to ensure the water does not run out too quickly either.

When choosing the types of vegetables to plant, follow the same guidelines as you would for outdoors. On the seed packets it will give recommendations on when to plant, the amount of light and water that is needed and the spacing requirements. Tailor your water schedule according to the condition of the soil, make sure it doesn't get too dry or stay too wet either.

By the end of the summer or early fall you should be able to harvest the vegetables grown inside your own home.

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